Slip-proof wrench



Feb. 18, 1964 DAVJS 3,121,356

SLIP-PROOF WRENCH Filed June 14, 1962 INVENTOR. HENDERE: EIN E1- DAVIS BY, +7714! Mme/v75 United States Patent 3,121,355 SLR-PROOF WRENCH Henderson G. Davis, 43 Washington Ave., Holyolre, Mass. Filed June 14, 1962, Ser. No. 202,548 1 Claim. (Cl. 81-419) This invention relates to wrenches and more particularly to set or spanner type wrenches or" improved constnuctional characteristics.

One drawback of spanner type wrenches is their tendency to slip axially oil the bolt head or nut on which they are being used. The principal reason for this is that the jaws of the wrench are stationary and spaced apart to receive a given size bolt head or nut. Since there is no clamping action of the jaws there is a marked tendency for the wrench to slip from the work.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved wrench construction having means which positively prevent the wrench from slipping axially from a bolt head or nut.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved wrench construction of the above type which enables the wrench to be turned over for engagement with the work with the handle disposed at a different horizontal angle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wrench construction of the above type which has the advantage of increased structural strength of the wrench jaws permitting decrease in the radial size of the jaws without diminution of structural strength.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a wrench having means intermediate its ends of rapidly applying or removing nuts and bolts by high speed spinning action of the wrench handle.

The above and other objects of this invention will be more readily apparent from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one type of wrench embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the wrench being used with parts of the wrench in section to demonstrate constructional details; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the head of a wrench embodying the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, a set wrench embodying this invention is shown generally at 4. The wrench comprises a handle 6 and a head 8 extending outwardly from at least one end of the handle. In the drawing is shown a double-ended, or reversible wrench, which includes another head 10 extending from the opposite end of the handle 6.

In accordance with this invention a web or flange 12 extends inwardly from the inner surface of the jaws 13 of the wrench head. The flange or web is disposed in about plane a, FIG. 2, generally parallel to the upper and lower surface of the wrench head.

The web is provided with a slot 14 dimensioned to accommodate the body of a bolt 15 corresponding to the nut 16 which the head is dimensioned to accommodate. The slots 14 are disposed about an axis b, FIG. 1, which corresponds to the axis of symmetry of the wrench head. In the embodiment shown, the axis 12 extends at an oblique angle relative to the center line 0 of the handle. The wrench may thus be turned over from one side to the other to vary the horizontal angular relationship of the head for working in an obstructed location.

The disposition of the web 12 intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the wrench head enables the wrench to be overturned to take advantage of the oblique angular disposition of the head while at the same time pro- 3,121,356 Patented Feb. 18, 1964 ICC viding means for preventing the wrench slipping 011 the nut. Of course, the slot 14 will receive a bolt body no matter which way the wrench is positioned.

The web 12 is preferably of tapered or wedge-shaped configuration, increasing in thickness from the outer to the inner ends of the jaws 13. With this arrangement, when the lower surface of the web is placed in surface-to-surface engagement with a nut, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle of the wrench is disposed at a substantial angle d above the horizontal, thus providing clearance for the handle in swinging the wrench above an underlying surface. It will thus be realized that the handle will be at an angle substantially greater than relative to the bolt on which the nut is threaded.

Wrenches embodying this invention are preferably integral in construction so that the nut engaging web imparts increased structural strength to the jaw 13. With a wrench construction such as this, it has been found that a reduction can be effected in the mass of metal used in the jaws particularly that portion located outwardly of the jaw openings. This invention otters a dual advantage in that the web positively prevents the wrench from slipping axially from nuts and bolt heads and in addition provides for a more compact head construction which will fit into more confined spaces than the conventional size head, shown in dotted line in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, means is provided for spinning a nut oii or onto a bolt. The spinning means comprises nut-shaped recesses 20 and 22 disposed in opposite sides of the handle, intermediate the ends thereof. The recesses 20 and 22 are dimensioned to receive the same size nuts as the wrench jaws =8 and 10. For example, the recess 20 may be dimensioned to receive the nut size corresponding to the head 8, while the recess 22 corresponds in size to the spacing of the jaws of the head 10. As shown, the recesses are in a boss 24. A bore 26 extends through the handle providing communication between the two recesses. The bore 26 is of sufficient diameter to receive the largest size bolt for which the wrench is designed.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed Open end wrench comprising a handle, a head extending from at least one end of said handle, said head including laterally spaced jaws for engagement with opposite sides of a nut, a web intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of said head and disposed between said jaws, said web being provided with an outwardly opening longitudinal slot, the opposite surfaces of said web being disposed in converging relationship from the inner to the outer ends of said jaws, whereby said handle is disposed at an angle substantially greater than 90 relative to a bolt when either surface of said web is in surface-to-surface contact with the outer surface of a nut threaded onto the aforesaid bolt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 135,084 Cooper Jan. 21, 1873 922,258 Caven May 18, 1909 1,764,379 Zilliox June 17, 1930 2,640,382 Grossman June 2, 1953 2,687,056 Foor Aug. 24, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,578 Great Britain 1893 995 Great Britain 1903 210,491 Great Britain I an. 24, 1924 144,609 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1931 746,310 France Mar. 7, 1933 

